Soviet Union 1991

First update

In the hot semi-desert area of ​​Kazakhstan, there is the largest military base in Soviet history, which is 80 kilometers long from north to south and 128 kilometers wide from east to west. In addition to dozens of launch pads, the base also has 5 launch control centers and 9 ground tracking stations. It has witnessed many of the first aerospace achievements in Soviet history and made indelible contributions to the development of Soviet ballistic missiles. Baikonur is equivalent to the synonym of Soviet aerospace and the history of human progress.

This is the first time Yanaev has set foot on the desert of Kazakhstan. The military base hidden in the desert has carried too many joys and sorrows in the history of Soviet aerospace. From the N1 carrier rocket to the Buran spacecraft stored in the reinforced concrete warehouse, the Baikonur Cosmodrome is the witness of this Soviet era.

Outside the car window is an uninhabited desert. The scorching weather and scorching land have almost wiped out all creatures, leaving only endless yellow sand and Soviet soldiers patrolling back and forth. Because this satellite launch symbolizes that the Soviet space industry has taken another step forward, Yanaev cannot fail to appear at the launch command center at such a critical moment. And because of Yanaev's appearance, the alert level of the entire Baiko-Nur was raised to the highest level. No one wanted to see the tragedy of Mitrofan Ivanovich Nedelin, the first commander of the Soviet Strategic Rocket Forces, unfold at the Baiko-Nur Cosmodrome.

Yanaev looked at the carrier rocket in the distance that was already making final preparations before the launch. In a few hours, the rocket will enter the countdown, and at that time, it will symbolize the Soviet Union's new generation of navigation satellites rising into the sky, breaking the monopoly of the US GPS on satellite navigation.

Yanayev stared at the huge steel monster in the distance and muttered to himself, "I have at least done something that the Soviet space department should be thankful for. I organized the split of the member states and forced the member states to change from autonomous countries to autonomous states and become an integral part of the Soviet Union. Otherwise, Russia will need to lease Baikonur from the split Kazakhstan at a price of $100 million a year."

The motorcade stopped at the door of the command center. The steps were covered with solemn red carpets, and the positions on both sides were filled with soldiers waiting in full battle array. As the launch command center and the department visited by the Soviet supreme leader, the KGB's Tenth Bureau and the Soviet aviation department did not want any mistakes or unexpected situations to happen here. Moreover, Plekhanov has always been a person who does not like to tolerate variables. When Yanayev travels, he hopes that all the details will be perfect.

Yanayev got off the car, and the soldiers' eyes were focused on this national leader who rarely showed his face. His expression was very calm, like a kind leader, nodding and smiling to the soldiers on both sides. He has this kind of cordial attitude towards everyone.

Is this really the top leader of the Soviet Union?

This thought probably came to many people's minds.

And what surprised them was that when Yanayev got off the car, he was holding a bouquet of white flowers.

Flowers?

At this time, everyone's eyes were focused on the bouquet of white flowers in Yanayev's hand. Logically speaking, he should not hold a bouquet of flowers on such an occasion, but every action taken by the national leader has a deep political meaning. So they did not dare to make a rash conclusion. It was only when they arrived at the door of the Baiko-Nur Command Center that Yanayev handed the bouquet of flowers to the people around him, and then he and Ruikoputev entered the gate of the launch center together.

Ruikoputev, the head of the Soviet space department, accompanied Yanayev and told him about the launch of the carrier rocket. The entire command center was busy in an intense and orderly manner. The scientific researchers stared at the screen and made the final preparations. The staff had evacuated from the rocket launcher and were ready to enter the final countdown state.

"The Proton launch vehicle is ready to enter the countdown, General Secretary Yanaev. Soon after the successful launch of the first Lotus satellite of our own Vine system, it is expected that satellites will be launched in succession in the next few years until the deployment of our satellite reconnaissance system is completed."

Since the construction of the Vine satellite system is related to the fate of the Soviet Red Navy, Smiryev also appeared in Baikonur to witness this historic moment.

"How many years will it take to complete the deployment? Our enemies will not give us enough time." Smiryev accompanied Yanaev to visit the launch of the Lotus satellite.

As a soldier, he certainly hoped that the Soviet Red Navy could establish its own satellite reconnaissance system in a short time to deal with the threat from Western enemies, and he realized that if the Vine system was successfully established, the Soviet Red Navy would greatly reduce the number of its own ships.

Even he had to admit that Yanaev was really far-sighted in every move.

Rikoputev explained, "It's hard to say. This is the first satellite we launched. We will continue to launch new satellites after observation and improvement, so all results will be known only after final testing and subsequent adjustments. However, the condition of the first Lotus satellite is more perfect than we imagined, so I think it won't take long to complete the vine system."

"I hope it won't take long, Comrade Rykoputev." The construction of the vine system is a major matter that Yanayev must complete during his term of office. Like GLONASS's network plan, he does not want to Leaving these behind until the Putin era, as a pavement and pioneer, Yanayev is willing to bear all difficulties and dangers.

"We can't guarantee the completion time, but we will definitely do our best to perfect the vine system." Rickoptev replied.

But obviously Yanayev was not very satisfied with this answer to the best of his ability.

"After the first Lotus satellite is laid, please immediately prepare for the improvement of the second Peony satellite, and strive to complete the launch of the three satellites of the Vine system in 1997. By the end of 1999, there will be at least eight satellites. Built vine system.”

Yanayev spoke firmly to Rykoptev's order, "This is an instruction from the political bureau. We are willing to provide sufficient financial support to the aviation industry sector. This is not a boring order issued by those bureaucrats." Indicators, but about the destiny and future of a country, Minister Rykoptev.”

Yanayev said earnestly, "Everything we are doing now is to make up for the mistakes we made in the 1980s. To make up for the mistakes of Gorbachev. Maybe in your eyes It seems a bit unreasonable, but these are very necessary.”

Now is not the time for the brain drain of the 1990s. The Soviet Union's strong industrial strength convinced Yanayev that it could complete the deployment of the vine system before 1999.

At that time, the Soviet Union will become the second country to complete a satellite reconnaissance system after the United States.

Yanayev turned his head, looked at the Proton rocket preparing to launch on the screen, and murmured to himself, "This is for the future of the children, Comrade Rykoputev. Do you know why we almost banned it after 1991?" Of all the aviation projects, only a few are retained for the sake of the future development of our aviation industry.”

At this time, the Proton launch vehicle had just entered the countdown to launch. Everyone stopped what they were doing and focused their attention on the big screen. Yanayev silently followed the countdown sound in his heart.

"three"

All personnel have been evacuated from the launch site, and only the Lotus satellite is waiting for the launch vehicle to send it into the vast space.

"two"

Rykoptev and Smiryev stared closely at the big screen, fearing that they would miss the moment when the rocket took off. After five years of silence, Baiko-Nur finally ushered in the most grand rocket launch scene. The N1 rocket sleeping in the "aerospace graveyard" and countless forefathers' hard work and obscurity after 1991 finally ushered in the glorious age of Soviet aviation history.

"one"

A dazzling fire erupted from the bottom of the rocket, bright and eye-catching, like a rising sun flying into space.

All the data displayed on the screen are normal, and the launch vehicle is flying into deep space on the budgeted orbit. By then, the Lotus satellite will be in orbit and complete its mission.

The command post burst into thunderous applause, instantly breaking the audible silence just now. Everyone was hugging and cheering, and the success of the Proton launch vehicle was like a shot in the arm, which greatly encouraged all aerospace industry personnel working in Baikonur.

Yanayev's frown finally relaxed, and he smiled happily.

If Khrushchev only wanted to use the launch of manned spacecraft to consolidate his political status in a hurry, then Yanayev was really for the future of the Soviet Union. Abandon those aerospace projects that have no significance for the time being, and focus on the development and testing of various Soviet satellite projects. In fact, Yanayev also envisioned connecting the Baiko-Nur launch center with the aviation commercial business. It was also a way to inject new blood into the aging Soviet aviation sector.

Looking at everyone's eyes filled with tears, Yanayev suddenly remembered that there was a symbolic tombstone in the aviation cemetery in Baiko-Nur, with such a sentence engraved on it.

There is still a country I love behind me, how could it possibly fall like this?

I would like to dedicate this to our ancestors who have dedicated their lives to the aerospace industry.

Thank you.

(I have been busy with some things recently, so the update is a bit useless, and I can’t guarantee when it will be restored to its previous state. Please forgive me.) (To be continued.)